Rape Shield Laws Aren't Always Just
Boston Globe Columnist Cathy Young expounds on rape-shield laws today, and is one of the first we've seen in recent weeks to outline issues of fairness to the accused.
After providing concrete examples, she concludes, justly in our view:
Many feminist groups fiercely resist any weakening of rape shield laws, including a recent New Jersey Supreme Court ruling which allows evidence of past sexual contact between the accuser and the accused to be used at trial.
Yet feminism should be about equal justice, not just the advantage of women. Women who come forward with charges of rape should not be treated as liars or sluts, but neither should they be given automatic credibility. Being sexually assaulted is a terrible ordeal - but so is being falsely accused.
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